LOMBARDY, FIRST HALF 18TH CENTURY

Details

A NORTH ITALIAN IVORY AND METAL-INLAID WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD BUREAU CABINET
Lombardy, first half 18th Century
Inlaid overall with scrolling folliage, flower-heads and animals, the stepped and moulded open pediment centred by an associated Asian bronze bust finial and a shield-shaped mirror plate engraved with classical figures, within a border of scrolling foliage and grotesque masques, above a pair of arched and mirrored doors enclosing an interior fitted with with open shelves and drawers around a central cupboard, the concave-shaped sides inlaid with classically draped figures within circular pergolas, the sloped fall-front inlaid with Venus in a swan-drawn chariot attended by winged putti, enclosing an interior fitted with shaped drawers, a central cupboard and a well with secret drawers, above three serpentine-fronted drawers and a moulded plinth, on later block feet, inside of left door inscribed 'parte a posta a la vera tura', the interior of the top section partially refitted, the right hand plate replaced, left hand plate possibly replaced, metalwork replaced
100 in. (254 cm.) high; 53 in. (135 cm.) wide; 26½ in. (67 cm.) deep

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The distinctive shape and characteristic type of ivory inlay of this bureau-cabinet are typical for Lombardy, but also Venetian, cabinet-making of the first half of the 18th Century. Most of the documented ivory-inlaid pieces have a related decoration scheme, often consisting of entwined floral sprays, animals, birds and putti on figured veneers, reflecting the skills of the intarsiatori. The inlay of this bureau cabinet is related to that found on a bureau-cabinet in the collection of the Marquess of Bath in the Prince of Wales bedroom at Longleat, which is illustrated in S. Morris, 'Lives of Bath', The Antique Collector, December/January 1993/1994, p. 34, while a further related example featuring similar scrolling foliate inlay is illustrated in S. Colombo, l'Arte del Mobile in Italia, Milan, 1975, pl.213. Other related bureau cabinets were sold at Christie's London, 12 December 2002, lot 80, Sotheby's New York, 20 March 1998, lot 318 and Sotheby's New York, 27 March 1993, lot 244.

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